the act of seeking out

 all images taken this weekend at Golden Gardens and Kayak Point

Sometimes I feel like I lead a double life.

The virtual one and the real one. The virtual life looks a bit different than the real one, yet it is all the same. It really comes down to what I share...isn't that the same for all of us really?

If using the Internet as ones sole point of reference...one could say I go a lot of places, complete a lot of projects, cook all the time, have a garden filled with beautiful flowers and enough downtime to photograph it all. Wow! What a life...could I be that girl? When I look at my own blog and my own Instagram feed I am often struck by how pretty, fun and full it all looks. It gets me thinking about perspective and how what you choose to share becomes the narrative.

So hows about a bit of truth with your morning cup of tea.

I am a homebody and not particularly social. I have a very small group of friends and most of them live in other places. I spend long stretches of the day not speaking to another human being. I work from home so my interactions are few. This lifestyle is mostly delightful to me as I have never been an extrovert. This does not mean that I am antisocial. Actually quite the contrary. I enjoy other people. I enjoy people watching. I enjoy engaging in animated conversations. I just don't seek it out.

I decided to make some changes in 2014. While I didn't feel the need to become a social butterfly. I did and do want to get out more. I want my everyday life to be more like the life I see in my own pictures. I want the fullness to be the rule rather than the exception. I treasure my quiet simple life...I truly do...but there's so much good stuff that comes with getting out and I can't expect all that good stuff to come to me. So far I have exceeded my own expectations. Both with Keith and without him, I have explored this great city...I have embarked on a road trip, I have visited new places and dined with new people. I have cooked different kinds of food and listened to different kinds of music. I have watched documentaries on subjects for which I never previously cared. I have played with my dog and wept with strangers. I see Keith doing the same...stretching himself in ways that make me proud and happy.

One of my goals is to visit a whole list of parks here in the PNW. The parks here will blow your mind, they are really that beautiful. Every time I visit one I return home feeling joy. Fresh air, trees and a nice long walk will do that I guess...who knew? 

In addition to the parks here are a few other things I want to do this summer:

Take a cooking class.
Have tea with a stranger.
Go to more movies.
Have a picnic with Keith in our backyard
See Mt Rainier up close
Rent a cabin with a hot tub;)

invent a signature cocktail
do a bit of painting
wear more dresses
take a yoga class

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”  
-Mary Oliver

atl::virginia highland

This weekend Keith and I finally got the chance to do a bit of exploring. Since Atlanta is filled with many unique neighborhoods we decided to begin with the wonderfully charming

Virginia Highland

This area reminds me a great deal of Melrose, Venice and Silverlake all rolled into one. It is home to fabulous restaurants and spas, cute boutiques, cool neighborhood taverns, coffee houses and plenty of live music. I have to say...I fell just a little bit in love...take a look

paper source

urban outfitters

the atlanta cupcake factory

youngblood (my fave)

how did i not know about this...

it opened in October. I think they're following me...or at least my pocketbook. Thanks for letting me know Charlie...even though I didn't believe you at first.

the skinny

so...what's the happs in my neck of the woods. Work man. All work. a bit of play...but mostly work. I always try to turn it down a notch around this time of year. I want to revel a bit more in the craftiness of the season, but the desire never really manifests. I've got a few new clients and some pressing deadlines and my head feels as though it's being squeezed between some very large hands...but I'm plugging along. Happy to be doing what I love.


Hmmm...what else? While wasting a wee bit of time yesterday I caught a tutorial featuring this little yummy. I'm trying to decide if I need a portable die cutting system. I have one...well two. I currently own a Cuttlebug (yes the name bothers me as well) and a Quickcutz...the hand held one, not the jumbo. But the Slice just looks better. What would I use it for? Oh, you know...cutting stuff into shapes....yeah...cutting stuff. I KNOW. I HAVE NO BUSINESS BUYING ANOTHER PRETTY GADGET. The caps look so rough don't you think? I won't buy it.

but I want to.

Other non-crafty news...this...is...a...sacrilege. I'm not fond of this idea. NOT AT ALL. Who does that little mite think he is + isn't he a bit young? I'm just sayin. Why does Hollywood keeps messing things up...are they in need of good scripts? I know a bunch of scarf wearing dudes hanging out at the Starbucks busily writing far fetched screenplays as I type. Go hit Diablo Cody up...I'm sure she's got some shiz with strangely articulate teens in the oven.

Finally...I'm not gonna post the video here, but if you can spare six minutes...six teeny tiny minutes. Check this out. I know you wish I would, but I won't let it go. NO WAY, NO HOW.

kickin it old-school

Sneak preview of PS4. This looks like it might be a bit cheaper, no?

not quite gaga for goop

I have never been a fan of all things Gwynnie. Not because I know her and dislike her, but rather I find her a bit too perfect. Too tall, Too well dressed, Too privileged, Too Famous. What is it in us that makes us despise the qualities in others that we would wish for in ourselves? I am old, well older, and a bit too smart to continue my dislike of Gwyneth for no good reason...so, I have decided to give her a chance and I am starting by checking out her new site GOOP. I know funny name...but I fancy saying it. Feels nice on the lips. It's got a nice pop.

Check it out, perhaps you'll like it, perhaps not, but for me...life is all about giving things a chance. So although I'm not quite over the moon yet...I'm willing to see how things go...I'm certain Gwynnie would be pleased ;)

back

I am finally back from my whirlwind trip to Argentina and it was fabulous. Although I am happy to be home, Buenos Aires is an amazing city. I was also surprised at how captivated the people were by our politics. The first question we were asked by a waiter in a small cafe upon finding out we were American...

"McCain or Obama?" Well, you know my answer...interestingly enough...he agreed. I could go on and on about everything I saw...but since I'm back to work...I'll just leave you with a visual sampling:


What I loved about Argentina:

The nightlife. Things are just getting started at 10:00pm.

The Architecture

The Cafes

The view from Todd's balcony.

Tango.

The Antique Fair.

Just being with my family. Thanks guys for the trip of a lifetime.

I'm here...

...and it's fabulous. It's such a cosmopolitan city and my brother lives in an area of Buenos Aires that reminds me a great deal of the West Village in NYC. It's not too far from the capital building which is an architectural beast. Although it's spring here the air is crisp so it feels just like fall. He has done so much to his home. I will definitely have to share pictures when I get back. It looks like something that could be featured in a magazine with stainless steel features and exposed brick walls. My favorite part is the rooftop balcony complete with fire pit.

Ciao for now

getting it done...

I am happy to say that, in regard to work, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, it is a bit murky..but I see it. There is nothing better than filing away paperwork and knowing that something you've been plugging away at is complete. I am really lucky to have had such amazing clients most of whom I now call friends. I am still busy....just a bit more acceptably so. As a salute to Friday I am posting both a recent birth announcement I designed and a coveted item.

First things first.... (love the color palette on this one) don't really work with yellow too often.



and is this a must have or what?




have a great weekend:)